xi, 402 pages, 12 unnumbered pages of plates : 25 cm

"Written by one of the world's leading historians of Italy, this provocative and highly readable book is the first major study of the Italian monarchy and its impact on Italy's history, from Unification in 1861 to the foundation of the Italian republic after the Second World War."--Back cover

Includes bibliographical references (pages 345-390)

List of illustrations -- Introduction -- 1. Vittorio Emanuele II. The king and the constitution, 1861 ; An abortive march on Rome, 1862 ; From Turin to Florence ; The war for Venice ; Court politics, 1866-7 ; A failed revolution, 1867 ; Personal rule ; The conquest of Rome ; The Left in power ; Death, and retrospect -- 2. Umberto I. The new reign ; The Triple Alliance ; Depretis and the transformation of parties ; Crispi, 1887-91 ; Two interim governments ; Crispi and the politics of force ; Defeat in Africa ; Umberto reasserts his authority ; Two turbulent years ; The collapse of parliamentary government ; Retrospect -- 3. Vittorio Emanuele III. A new direction in politics ; Foreign policy, 1900-4 ; The beginning of Giolittismo ; Great-power politics ; Victory in Libya ; Giolitti in difficulties, 1912-14 ; Salandra, 1914 ; To fight or not to fight? -- 4. World War I, and the rise of fascism. Italy at war, 1915-17 ; Defeat and triumph, 1917-18 ; Post-war difficulties ; Fascism and the march on Rome ; The fascist dictatorship ; The 'diarchy' ; Alliance with Germany -- 5. The end of the monarchy. Italy drifts into war ; The regime disintegrates ; Mussolini is dismissed ; The armistice ; The flight from Rome ; The monarchy under attack ; Umberto II -- Abbreviations and acknowledgments -- Notes -- List of prime ministers of Italy -- Index

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